Six Purple Balloons

Today we celebrated remembering Layla's life. Her memorial service was this afternoon in California at 3:00 pm, and we were so sad that we couldn't go. So today at 4:00 pm our time, (1 hour time difference - we wanted to do it at the same time) we decided to release 6 purple balloons to represent each year she had on this earth...and in her favorite color. Mia took the news of Layla's passing better than I did. When we told her that Layla had passed away in her sleep, she thought for a minute and said...'So Layla went to sleep and then woke up in the clouds?' (heaven) and I said, 'yes.' She smiled and said...'cool!' Mia did have a hard day at school on Thursday...even Wednesday night she was asking lots of questions, trying to process it all. So her counselor suggested that she write a note to Layla and put it on the balloon...that way she could tell Layla one last thing, to have a chance to say goodbye. This is what she wrote...

Different shades of purple...

Miss Theresa, one of Layla's & Mia's nurses came to be with us wearing a purple flower in her hair in honor of Layla.

So did Miss Jill, another POTC nurse where Mia gets her transfusions. She had a purple flower too. They were thankful to be there with us to remember Layla.

Layla stories...

...always have laughter in them.

Mia's favorite memory of Layla is of when they first met, and they painted 'bug houses.' It was a styrafoam cup turned upside down and they cut out a little door for the bugs to get in and out. Hence, a bug house.

Miss Jill remembering her favortie Layla story...both nurses remember her being sassy. No wonder Layla and Mia got along so well!!! Lol!

Miss Theresa remembering her favorite Layla story...

I will never forget the way Layla helped Mia with getting her flu shot. Usually, they take stuff out of Mia, not inject her. Mia needed to get a flu shot...and she really panicked. Her blood pressure shot up, and Miss Christine said, 'Mia, you need to relax.' So Layla hopped up onto her bed and explained to Mia that if she got the shot in her leg, she wouldn't feel it as much (because Layla had shots all the time) and to take a deep breath and count...there's Layla in the background counting and saying, 'you can do it Mia.'

I brought Mia's photo album of her hospital days with Layla so everyone could look at pictures.
Purple Balloons...

Layla's favorite color was purple...so we got six purple balloons to represent her six years of life. I also got one blue balloon with flowers on it that says,' you'll be missed.' Ashley helped to untie them all.



Mia with her note to Layla taped to her balloon.

Saying a Prayer -

Matt said a really nice prayer before we let the ballons go. It was really heartfelt and I appreciate so much his kind words about Layla, God's purpose and plan, and for her family...

Saying goodbye...

As each balloon went up in the sky...each person said something special to Layla. Ashley noticed that the wind was carrying them west...in the direction of California.

It was nice for me to be able to talk about Layla with the nurses. I have been struggling with just thinking about the finality of everything, I guess from a mom's perspective, as it does hit close to home. It was good.

After we let the balloons go...Mia did get sad. She grabbed my leg and wouldn't let go. All I could do was give her a big hug.

Mia likes to announce things...like when her mom is crying. I'm happy for Layla to be out of any pain and suffering. She truly has touched so many people's lives, even if you didn't know her, I want you to know that she fought hard and had an amazing spirit. Her memory will certainly live on.

Visiting Layla @ POTC

The last time we saw Layla & her mom Nicole was right before Thanksgiving. I pulled Mia out of school, yep, that's right, we 'skipped school' to visit Layla in the hospital. Mia brought her a Jared Box...filled with little toys and fun stuff to keep you busy when you're at the hospital all day. I never posted these pictures and came across them...so I wanted to share them.

The most funniest thing was the flarp. If you don't know what flarp is...it's squishy stuff in a plastic container where it makes...funny noises. Kind of like a tooting sound (lol!) They were laughing so hard, and anytime a nurse or someone came into the room...they would make a noise and say...'excuse you!' I must admit, it was pretty funny. They enjoyed looking at all the stuff in the box together.

I have heard this song so much lately...here are the lyrics. Also, the second song after talks about having a 'Beautiful Ending...' - I'm thankful that Layla had a beautiful ending.

Your Hands -

I have unanswered prayers

I have trouble I wish wasn't there

And I have asked a thousand ways

That You would take my pain away

That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand

How to walk this weary land

Make straight the paths that crookedly lie

Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking

~Heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the earth

You healed the broken, lost, and hurt

I know You hate to see me cry

One day You will set all things right

Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking

~Heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave Your hands

Your hands

Your hands that shape the world

Are holding me, they hold me still

Your hands that shape the world

Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking

~Heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave You when...When my world is shaking

~Heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave...I never leave Your hands

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"He has the power to bring everything under His control. By His power He will change our earthly bodies. They will become like His glorious body."

~Philippians 3:21

With a heavy heart...

...I am so deeply saddened to say that Layla passed away in her sleep last night. What a brave, strong, and sweet spirited girl she has been in our lives. Words cannot even come close to expressing how much Layla has touched each of us. It was an honor to meet her and her family, please keep the Blakeley family in your prayers...Mia has lost a friend in her life, but she will see Layla again someday ~ when they are reunited in heaven.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

-Revelation 21:4

"I will not leave you orphaned. I'm coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you're going to see me because I am alive and you're about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I'm in my Father, and you're in Me, and I'm in you."

John 14:18-20 (The Message)

~ We will always remember you Layla...

Dinner - Surprise - Ice Skating

We were pleasantly surprised with a dinner out for the whole family to the Outback...yum! With Matt's parents and his Aunt & Uncle visiting from Vashon Island, Washington.

The McPoland Men...Matt, his dad Dennis & his Uncle Richard.

The women who married the McPoland men...Kathy, Pam, & me.

All of the McPoland's...having dinner.

Grandma and Madison...

The surprise - Peter Piper Pizza!

The condition was if they were good at the Outback, then they could go to PPP for just the games and toys...they ended up being good. Madison loved going down the slide, that was the only thing she wanted to do.

Ashley scored major tickets! She also helped her little sisters score a princess wand. Awww, that's what big sisters are for!

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When we got home we watched some of the ice skating on TV...Madison has found her new sport. Actually it would be her first sport...ice skating. 'They wear pretty dresses,' so she says. She had the best time watching them skate and she danced right along with them. The video turned out really dark but she was SO cute...

If you were wondering...

...if we're still around, we are. I haven't blogged it seems like for ages. I've been really busy...I'm not sure exactly doing what but here are a few things. The girls have been riding their bikes a lot lately which is great. This time of year is so beautiful in Arizona, if I could just remember that in August when it's sweltering out. Alyssa took all the bike pictures...

Macy's...& Starbucks = a fun day.

Max is still around...chewing his bones.

A trip to the mall -

Matt and I took Maddy to the mall when the girls went back to school. It was his last day of freedom...after about a month off from work.

I found them in Barnes & Noble...did you know a 'real man' knows all the princess' by name? Yep, Matt knows them all.

Ashley ~

Did you also know that girls like to take pictures of themselves? Where do they learn this? (lol!) And why?? I guess it is a right of passage amongst pre-teens...who are soon to be 13. Oh my...

Alyssa ~

Just a reminder to big sisters everywhere: 'Your little sisters are watching what you do!'

Mia's Doctor Office

I'm not sure why they are sitting on the table in the waiting room...but look who we bumped into!

Our neighbor Ethan!!! We seriously could have carpooled to the doctor's office. Next time!

This was not staged at all, Mia wanted to hold onto Madison's hand for her poke...more like gripped her hand for dear life. I'm so glad Mia has someone to be there for her. Sisters are so special.

Lunch at the Club

Mia, Maddy, and I went to lunch with my mom at the club house. Of course we were the only ones there with kids...and a lot of...elderly people were there. So I was explaining to Madison that we don't scream because it hurts all of the elderly people's ears. Mia of course struck up a conversation about people who are old...and turns to my mom and says, 'Grannie you're not old because you don't have any lines on your face.' It took a minute, but Mia meant - You don't have any wrinkles on your face.

Hi-lar-ious!

One of the major roads we live on is being re-done. Madison is fascinated by all the tractors and diggers, however the time spent just trying to get down the road isn't fun.

Soccer

Winter soccer has started again...here are the kids playing at Alyssa's game.

Alyssa watched Maddy at the park so I could go watch Mia's first soccer game.

Good job Alyssa being a great big sister!

Mia's # 1!

Mia's first soccer game. She was feeling pretty good after her transfusion, at least she had some energy to run around...for a little bit.

The team didn't do so great but that's ok. Mia had a great time...she tried really hard and ran a lot. She was tired. But the smile on her face was worth it. Go Mia! #1!